Troubled 'Rebecca' musical snares show's publicist

FILE - In this photo from Saturday, Sept. 18, 2006, ensemble members perform during a dress rehearsal for the musical "Rebecca" at Vienna's Raimund Theatre. Producers for the Broadway production sued its publicist, Marc Thibodeau, in State Supreme Court in Manhattan on Tuesday, Jan. 29, 2013, claiming defamation and breach of contract and fiduciary duty. They claim that Thibodeau sent emails discouraging a possible investor from putting $2.25 million into the show, which is now on hold indefinitely after its collapse in 2012. (AP Photo/Stephan Tirerenberg, File)

NEW YORK (AP) — Troubles surrounding the Broadway musical "Rebecca" have snared the show's publicist.

The show's producers sued Marc Thibodeau in New York State Supreme Court on Tuesday, claiming defamation and breach of contract and fiduciary duty.

They say Thibodeau sent emails discouraging a possible investor from putting $2.25 million into the show. Thibodeau also represented "The Phantom of the Opera" for 25 years.

Thibodeau's lawyer, Jeffrey Lichtman, tells The New York Times (http://nyti.ms/116f5Dp ) that his client was an "innocent whistle-blower."

The producers also sued Long Island securities dealer Mark Hotton in October. He is criminally charged with pretending to raise millions from investors in return for a commission and travel expenses.

Hotton's lawyer has said his client didn't set out to defraud the show.